China: Belly laughs for Zhu's September 11 joke [WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK]

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HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- Belly laughs for Zhu's September 11 joke TOM MITCHELL in Boao, Hainan and AGENCIES Next Story Premier Zhu Rongji turned comedian yesterday, delivering a string of jokes at the Boao Forum for Asia - including a dubious reference to the September 11 attacks which had his audience roaring with laughter. Other subjects for his routine, delivered to politicians and company executives on the first day of the two-day forum in Hainan, included his age and a claim that he could not afford to attend the World Cup finals. At a question-and-answer session after delivering the keynote speech to the economic forum, Mr Zhu reminded the audience, including Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, that Japan had once been Asia's economic powerhouse. ''The Japanese bought many huge buildings in New York, but luckily they didn't buy the World Trade Centre,'' he said, to laughter and applause. ''If they had bought it then, now the Japanese would be sadder than the Americans,'' he said, adding hastily: ''Of course, we are also very sad.'' A mainland businessman asked whether Mr Zhu might consider legalising China's sex shops, adding that he had noticed him chatting with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand, which he said was famous for its liberal attitude towards the sex industry. ''This is not really the most appropriate time for your question,'' Mr Zhu said. ''But since you ask, Prime Minister Thaksin and I were not talking about the matter you raised because it is not included in the agenda.'' After a delegate asked about China's efforts to deal with an ageing population, Mr Zhu said: ''At the age of 74, I am still the Premier and that proves China is faced with an ageing society.'' He said China would encourage its football fans to go to Japan and South Korea to watch World Cup matches if they could afford it. ''But I don't have the money.'' More seriously, Mr Zhu said he was confident that China would reach its growth target of seven per cent this year, despite criticism of state statistics. --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================

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